Retaining device



. May 20, 1941. G. O. CONNER RETAINING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 6, 1935' INVENTOR May 20, 1941. e, o. CONNER RETAINING DEVICE Original Filed Dec. 6, '1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 20, 1941 rric ET G DEVICE Original application December 6, 1935, Serial No. 53,219. Divided and this application November 20, 1936, Serial No. 111,896

3 Claims.

This invention relates to retaining devices, and more particularly to expansible and contractible retaining devices of the type used, for example, for maintaining heads or closure members on shipping containers and the like. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 53,219, filed December 6, i935.

Certain containers to which the retaining device of the present application is especially applicable are disclosed and claimed in the parent application above mentioned. In order that the purpose and the advantages of the retaining device may be fully understood such containers wiil be briefly described herein and the application thereto of the retaining device will be explained.

The retaining device is particularly adapted and intended for use with shipping and dispensing containers of relatively light gauge and small size as distinguished from large heavy barrels and drums-for example, sheet metal shipping and dispensing containers of such size and shape as to be adapted when filled to be carried by one person, as, for example, by a handle positioned when operative substantially in line with the axis of the container. Containers of this type are used in sizes ranging up to and above in the neighborhood of 10 gallons, perhaps the most popular size being 5 gallons.

Such containers are made of relatively light gauge sheet metal as distinguished from the metal used for making large size barrels and drums of, say, 100 gallons capacity. The containers must be strong, particularly when used for shipping, not only to insure against damage in handling but also because of the extremely rigid shipping container specifications of the regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission.

One specific type of container to which the retaining device herein described and claimed is particularly well adapted is a container of such size and capacity as to be adapted when filled to be carried by one person, as, for example, by a handle positioned when operative substantially in line with the axis of the container. The container preferably has an opening of relatively large size which may be opened and closed at will, the whole structure being so designed as to withstand very rough usage. The diameter of the opening is preferably equal to at least about one-fourth of the greatest transverse dimension of the top portion of the container. For certain purposes an opening having a diameter equal to at least about one-third of the greatest transverse dimension of the top portion of the con tainer is desirable. Ordinarily the diameter of the opening will not be greater than about onehalf of the greatest transverse dimension of the top portion, as if it is substantially greater than this the container begins to have the disadvantages of a full Open top container. These disadvantages and the features of the container through which they are obviated are explained in the parent application.

In the ordinary sizes of the container above referred to, as, for example, in the 5 gallon size,

the opening is large enough to admit .a human hand of average size. Preferably the opening is large enough to admit a mans hand with sulficient clearance to enable Working within the container, as in stirring or mixing the contents thereof or removing such contents as by the use of an implement such as a large spoon or the like. The opening is preferably made eccentric with respect to the top portion of the container to facilitate pouring out of the contents of the container. Stacking of the container with other similar containers is preferably provided for by a top stacking surface which extends at least substantially as high as the opening and the closure means therefor, an outage space being provided thereunder.

The opening is preferably closed by a separate opening may be formed with an upwardly projecting beaded neck and in such case the closure member has a portion overlying such neck, a gasket being provided therebetween, and the neck and closure member are maintained in assembly by the retaining device above mentioned which is of the type commonly referred to as a clamping ring. The closure member is preferably convexly formed inwardly of the container which adapts it to withstand the shocks to which the container is subjected in use and also does not interfere with stacking. The clamping ring has a number of novel features which adapt itv for use particularly with a container of the type in question, the opening in which is much smaller than the usual openings Whose closure member is held'in place by a clamping ring.

The structure of the clamping ring and the particular advantages thereofwill become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanyiing drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a shipping and dispensing container having a closure member applied thereto and'maintained in place thereon by a clamping ring;

Figure 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional view through the container shown in Figure 1, such view also being taken centrally through the opening in the container top;

Figure 3 is a partial top plan view of a container to enlarged scale and showing the clamping ring in open position;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of one of the operating members for opening and closing the clamping ring;

Figure 5 is a perspective View of another of such operating members;

Figure 6 is a central cross-sectional View through a portion of the clamping ring to enlarged scale; a

Figure '7 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line VII-VIIof Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line VIII-VIII of Figure 6.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown therein a 5 gallon shipping and dispensing container made out of light gauge sheet metal. The container comprises a substantially cylindrical body portion 2 having a bottom attached thereto in usual manner, as, forexample, by seaming. The container body is provided near its top and bottom with raised annular strengthening and protective portions, of which one is shown at 5, and which may, if desired, be used as rolling rings. Seamed to the upper extremity of the body at 6 is a cover or top designated generally by reference numeral 1.

The container as thus illustrated is of the nonremovable top type, although the top may be.

made removable if desired. For example, a cover provided with the conventional attaching lugs may be used, the container body in such case having at its top a portion for reception of the cover and attachment of the lugs, a suitable gasket being used between the body and cover.

The top of the container has a substantially flat upper surface portion designated by reference numeral 8, an intermediate portion 9 and a lower portion III. The lower portion I0 communicates with the edge of the container, as clearly shown in Figure 1, to allow drainage of liquid therefrom. Connected with the intermediate portion 9 of the top by means of bearings II riveted or bolted to the top at I2 is a handle I3 by which the container is adapted to be carried. Due to the size, shape and capacity of the container it may be carried by a man by the handle I3 held in one hand. The handle is swingable about the bearings II to an upward or operative position in which it is substantially in line with the axis of the container. The

bearings I I are centered substantially on a diam- M eter of the container but equidistant from the axis thereof. When the handle I3 is not in use it may be turned down to the position shown in the drawings in which its upper portion is not substantially higher than the portion 8 of the top. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the handle lies below the portion 8 of the top.

In the lower portion I0 of the top I is an opening I 4 surrounded by an upwardly drawn neck I5, the upper extremity of which is reversely turned as shown at I6 to provide a rim in the form of a bead or lip. In the embodiment shown the rim I6 is below the level of the surface portion 8 of the container top. The opening I4 is eccentric with respect to the top of the container and is positioned adjacent the edge thereof as shown in the drawings, so that if desired it may conveniently be used for pouring out the contents of the container.

The diameter of the opening I 4 is preferably equal to at least about one-fourth of the diameter of the top I. The diameter of the opening is preferably not substantially greater than about one-half of the diameter of the top. For certain purposes I find it desirable to provide an opening whose diameter is equal to in'the neighborhood of one-third the diameter of the top. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the diameter of the opening I4 is equal to between one-half and one-third the diameter of the top of the container. The opening is preferably made large enough to admit a mans hand and, particularly in sizes commensurate with that shown in the drawings, I prefer that the diameter of the opening shall be at least about 4" and not greater than about 7". The opening is of such size as to permit ready access to the interior of the container, as for mixing or stirring the contents thereof, or for removing the contents otherwise than by pouring.

The upwardly drawn neck I5 is made strong enough to withstand the stresses to which it is subjected in use. It is further strengthened, as is the top of the container as a whole, by a closure member I! which cooperates with the rim I6 to close the opening I4. The closure member I! is preferably made of metal of at least as heavy gauge as the metal of the container and in some cases I prefer to use heavier metal for the closure member. The body of the closure member is preferably curved and I find it desirable to curve the same inwardly of the curvature of the closure member inwardly of the container better withstands pressures which may be built up Within the container.

The rim of the closure member I! is downwardly cupped as shown in Figure 2 so as to cooperate with and lie over the rim I6. The central portion of the closure member extends downwardly within the opening I4 A gasket I8 is interposed between the rim I6 of the container and the rim of the closure member to effect a seal therebetween.

The closure member I! is maintained in place with respect to the neck I5 and rim I6 by a retaining device, preferably in the form of a. clamping ring designated generally by reference numeral I9. The clamping ring comprises a body portion 20 which is expansible and contractible and arranged substantially in the arc of a circle. The clamping ring as a whole is of substantially U-shaped cross section. However, at intervals therealong recesses 2| are out into the leg portions of the U to provide for sufilcient flexibility of the ring substantially in its plane for expansion and contraction thereof necessary in applying and removing it. The upper and lower legs of the ring are preferably recessed complementarily. Intermediate the recessed portions of the ring are outwardly pressed stiffening and strengthening ribs 22 for imparting to the ring a desired strength and rigidity substantially normal to the plane thereof and to insure proper and sustained cooperation between the container neck and the closure member to hold the closure member in place with the desired pressure. A transverse cross" section through the ring at a recessed portion thereof is shown in Figure 7, and a transverse cross section at a strengthened portion thereof is shown in Figure 8.

At the ends of the ring body 20 are outwardly and reversely turned straps 23, the ends of which may be welded, riveted or otherwise connected portion 29 by which the clamping ring is operated. At the opposite end of the member 28 the material thereof is laterally and then reversely turned as shown in Figure 4, and a. pivot 30 is provided between the opposed portions of the operating member which passes through the strap bearing 23 opposite that engaged by the link 24, thus providing a slidable detachable connection between the member 28 and the strap bearing 23. Substantially in transverse alignment with the pivot 35) the member 28 has cpposed holes 3! through which and through the holes 21 of the link 24 passes a pin or rivet 32. Intermediate the handle portion of the member 28 and the portion having the pivotal connections just described the material of such member is bent upwardly as shown at 33 to allow the member properly to cooperate with the ring in opening and closing movements.

The clamping ring is shown in open or inoperative position in Figure 3. When in such position it may be removed from the closure member and container neck and replaced thereon at will. When the clamping ring is being applied it is put in place as shown in Figure 3. The handle 29 is then turned in the clockwise direction about the pivot 30, viewing Figure 3, through substantially 180. During such rotative movement of the handle the pivot 32 moves around the pivot 30, the portion 34 of the member 28 which lies between the pivots 3B and 32 passing within the hollow link 24 as shown in Figure 3. The axis of the pivot 30 moves to a position somewhat beyond a straight line between the axis of the pivot 32 and the axis of the lower bearing 23, viewing Figure 1, to counteract the tendency of the ring to open.

The member 29 acts somewhat in the nature of a bell crank lever, the pivot of which is at 30, the long arm being the handle 29 and the short arm being the portion between the pivot 30 and the pivot 32. When the clamping ring is in closed or operative position the handle 29 extends transversely of the ring and preferably substantially diametrically thereacross as shown in Figure 1. Connected with the body of the ring intermediate the extremities thereof is an integral inwardly projecting lug 35 having at opposite sides down ward projections 36 (see Figures 1 and 3). When the handle 29 approaches the lug 35 it is pressed lightly downwardly, or toward the container, and the outer end of the handle springs under the lug 35. When the outer end of the handle is positioned intermediate the projections 36 it is released and resiliently moves upwardly so as to lie against the under surface of the lug 35 and between the projections 36 where it is latched in place. The upwardly bent portion 33 of the member 28 allows the handle 29 to move into latched position under the lug 35 as above explained, a portion of the ring lying below the portion 33 being received thereby, The member 28 is sufficiently flexible that no difliculty is encountered in operating it over the ring and into latched position with the end of the handle under the lug 35. The lug 35 has a hole 3'! therethrough and the end of the handle has a hole 38 therethrough, which holes assume superposed relation when the handle is in latched position and are adapted to receive any suitable sealing means such as a sealing wire or padlock.

The container is ideally suited for shipping, being exceptionally strong and rugged, easy to handle and capable of being stacked. Access may be had to its interior through the relatively large opening M and the exceptionally strong closure member and clamping ring structure materially assist when applied in strengthening the top of the container. The container is suitable for uses which similar shipping containers of like size heretofore available are totally unsuited.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the same is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A retaining device comprising expansible and contractible retaining means having portions movable toward and away from each other upon operation of the device, and operating means for moving such portions toward or away from each other to contract or expand the retaining means, said operating means comprising a hollow link pivotally connected with one of said portions and a bell-crank lever pivotally connected with another of said portions and with said hollow link,

a portion of the bell-crank lever lying within the hollow link when the retaining means are in oper ative position.

2. A retaining device comprising expansible and contractible retaining means having portions movable toward and away from each other upon operation of the device, and operating means for moving such portions toward or away from each other to contract or expand the retaining means, said operating means comprising a hollow link connected with one of said portions and an operating lever pivotally connected with another of said portions and with said link, the pivotal connection of said operating lever with said other portion lying within the hollow link when the retaining means are in operative position but outside of said link when the retaining means are in inoperative position.

3. A retaining device comprising expansible and contractible retaining means having portions movable toward and away from each other upon operation of the device, and operating means for moving such portions toward or away from each other to contract or expand the retaining means, said operating means comprising a hollow link pivotally connected with one of said portions and a bell-crank lever pivotally but freely and slidably detachably connected with another of said portions and pivotally connected with said hollow link, a portion of the bell-crank lever lying within the hollow link when the retaining means are in operative position.

GUY 0'. CONNER. 

